Gavin Henson is in line for a rugby return this weekend with London Welsh when they welcome English league leaders Harlequins.

The Aviva Premiership club hope to have their outside-half back for the game while adding the club should complete the signing of a new back this week.

Henson has been out of action since November.

If the 30-year-old can string a couple of games together he would be an outside bet for a Six Nations squad place with outside-half Rhys Priestland ruled out for the tournament and James Hook struggling with a shoulder injury.

Meanwhile, London Welsh head coach Lyn Jones says the club will not panic despite their latest defeat in the Premiership. Welsh are third from bottom, nine points above last-placed Sale, after being beaten by Dai Young’s London Wasps last Saturday.

“We are not putting pressure on ourselves,” said Jones.

“We are playing to the best of our ability every single game.

“There are no panic buttons being pressed. We are organised, structured, we have some threats but we need more.

“We are making plans, we understand what the league is and we need to improve big time.

“Throughout the year we are going to get highs and lows and you are going to get surprise results and surprise performances either way. Quins will be a big challenge and we need to take them on and be in their faces.”

Meanwhile, Sale and England flanker Hendre Fourie has been forced to retire after losing his battle to recover from a shoulder injury.

The South Africa-born 33-year-old made eight senior appearances for England, with his last coming in the victory over Ireland in Dublin prior to the 2011 World Cup.

Fourie joined Sale from Leeds in 2011 but barely saw any action for the club due to injury, and he is to be replaced in the Sharks squad by former All Black Daniel Braid, who has signed up until the end of the season.

Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond said: “Unfortunately, Hendre has had to retire. We got the final confirmation last week after taking medical advice.”